Clasp.



G. A. LARSON.

CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 19, 1909.

948,898. v Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

Ni x

g 17 I Wif/(ZS 3,- jizyc/r/ Y 25 m. a V gi ggarlwz ANDREW. alum-.4 cu, PNOlO-LITHQGRAWIERS. WASHINGTON. u c

GUSTAF A. LARSON, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

CLASP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 19, 1909.

Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

Serial No. 513,594.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsTAr A. LARSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at YVorcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Clasp, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a clasp suitable for supporting hose and similar purposes.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a construction consisting of a minimum number of pieces and capable of effectually clasping the fabric of the hose without subjecting it to undue wear or tension and especially to provide a construction in which the parts can be readily unlocked and swung entirely out of the way so that it can be readily applied and as readily .removed from the hose or the like.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the invention showing the parts in unlocked position. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing them in their locked or operative position, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation.

The invention is shown as comprising a sheet metal base or plate having a curved slot 11 therethrough near the bottom and two horizontal slots 12 and 13 near the top. An elastic or webbing 14 is shown having its end passed upwardly under the bottom of the plate 10 and backwardly through the slot 11 so that the back of the elastic will bear against this end, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The elastic then passes upwardly at the rear of the plate and then forwardly through the slot 12. It is then drawn up to form a loop 15 on the front of the plate and then passes backwardly through the slot 13 which is provided with downwardly eX- tending teeth 16 to hold the elastic against slipping. By the provision of this arrange ment, the end of the elastic is securely held at the bottom as it is stretched around the curved lower end of the plate and passed through the curved slot, and in addition to this the loop 15 can be used for adjustment because it can be lengthened or shortened in a very simple manner, as will be obvious.

Just above the slot 11 is provided a headed post 17 projecting at right angles from the plate. At a point preferably above this post is located a socket 18 which is shown as formed integrally with the plate simply by providing two longitudinal slits of equal length and pressing the metal out. Through this socket passes a straight part 19 of a elasping member. This constitutes a pivot for the clasping member which preferably is formed of a single piece of resilient wire. On one end the pivot 19 extends through the socket and is bent upwardly around the same to form a catch 20 which securely holds the pivot in the socket and has another function as will appear hereinafter. At the other end the wire is bent around to form a shank 21 which extends almost directly toward the post 17 and then is bent outwardly to form a bowed portion 22. This bowed portion is bent reversely at the end to form a complete coil 23, the wire of which crosses itself at the top of the coil and forms a projecting arm 24. This arm 24 also has a bowed portion opposite the bowed portion 22 and of opposite curvature. At the end of the bowed portion 25 is a locking loop or eye 26 and the remainder of the arm 24 extends outwardly therefrom. This arm has a projecting portion 27 on the end.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1 when everything is in normal condition, it will be seen that the bowed portions 22 and 25 will substantially escape the head of the post 1'? when the whole clasping member is swung outwardly on its pivot. The lock ing loop 26 just barely projects under the head of the post so that the parts can be held against the plate thereby. Now when the material to be clasped has been placed over the post and the clasping member swung down to the position shown in Fig. 1, the loop 26 will readily pass under the iead and then the parts are in position for clasping the fabric. This is done by moving the projecting end 27 of the arm inwardly until the arm comes under the catch 20 when the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 2. It will be observed that as the arm is brought inwardly, not only is the bowed portion 25 brought toward the post, but owing to the reverse coil 23, the bowed portion 22 also moves toward the post. Thus the fabric is clamped on both sides by the single action of drawing in the arm 24. Attention is called also to the fact that the projecting portion 27 of the arm '24: bears against the loop 15 and holds that loop in position so that it will not drop down or project out at the front, and it assists in holding it against the teeth 16. At the same time it assists in rendering the clasping member rigid in its locking position. It is to be observed also, that on account of the position of the arm 27 there can be no tendency of the clasping member to swing about its pivot when the parts are locked, as shown in Fig. 2, but when the parts are unlocked, this projection 27 is away out at the side, as shown in Fig. 1 so that there is no opposition to the swinging of the clasping member on its pivot until it reaches a position substantially at right angles to the plate, when the catch 20 engages the plate or socket and limits its motion in that direction.

lVhile I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, I am aware that many modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art and that the device can be used for many other purposes than the ones specifically described, without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction shown and described, but

WVhat I do claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a hose supporter comprising a plate or base having a slot therethrough and an elastic or webbing having its end extending through said slot from the front and around the plate back behind the end of the elastic, said plate also having two slots through one of which the elastic extends to the front to form a loop, the elastic or webbing then passing back through the upper slot, said upper slot having downwardly projecting teeth on the upper edge thereof and the elastic extending upwardly therefrom, whereby the loop can be adjusted to change the effective length of the elastic, and means on the plate for pressing against the loop and holding it in upright position.

2. As an article of manufacture, a clasp comprising a plate, a post thereon, a clasping member pivotally mounted on the plate extending toward said post, and having an arm adapted to clasp the post when the arm is swung inwardly, and a catch for holding the arm in clamping position, said arm pro jeeting beyond the catch so as to engage the plate at a position beyond the pivot and prevent pivotal motion when the arm is in engagement with the catch.

As an article of manufacture, a clasp comprising a base plate, a post extending therefrom at right angles and having a head thereon, said base plate having an integral socket extending transversely to the length thereof, and a clasping member consisting of a single integral piece of resilient wire haV- ing a portion within said socket constituting a pivot, one end of said pivot being turned outwardly and constituting a catch and the otherend extending toward the post, and terminating in an arm adapted to be engaged by said catch, said wire having two oppositely bowed portions, one located on the arm, for engaging opposite sides of the post.

4. As an article of manufacture, a clasp comprising a base having a headed post thereon, a resilient wire pivotally mounted on the base and having a shank extending toward the post, a substantially semi-circular bowed portion at the end of the shank in position to pass the head of the post as the wire is swung on its pivot, the end of the bowed portion extending on a tangent thereto and having a single complete coil thereon, the end of the coil crossing the end of the bowed portion, an arm at the end of said coil having a bowed portion opposite the first bowed portion and having an integral complete coil or eye at the end thereofysaid eye and bowed portion being normally in position to pass the head of the post as the wire swung on its pivot, and means for holding the arm in a position in which the bowed portion thereof is under the head of the post and the eye in engagement with said shank.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

GUSTAF A. LARSON.

lVitnesses JOHN P. Mourns, FRANCIS M. ANDERSON, A. E. FAY. 

